Valentine's Photo Special

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Fun Fabric Organization

Well, it seems like everyone is getting organized at the start of this new year. And after Christmas and new parts, toys and pieces, I decided that I would get organized too. I needed a way to store cartridges, puzzle pieces, letters and different toy parts. This is what I came up with.

These cute drawstring bags. They were super easy to make. They are lined, so they have two opportunities to use the adorable fun fabric out there right now and cute matching ribbon. I made three to start with.

1) blue canvas with tan and blue pinstripe lining.
2) pink and white polkadots with brown lining
3) brown with pink and white polkadot lining.

I am going to make more, once I order myself some more fun fabric. I will also probably start using them as "gift wrapping" for gifts. If you want to know how to make them.. here is the link.

Sad, Sick and Mad

I am sick to my stomach and on the verge of tears and so mad at myself and whoever stole my ipod touch. My wonderful husband gave me an ipod touch for my birthday (which goes against everything he believes about technology and toys and spending lot of money on them). But he did it because he loves me and knew I wanted one sooo bad.

Today I woke up and wanted to look at something on my ipod and couldn't find it anywhere. I searched all over and realized that the last time I saw it was when I went to Target (I used it because it had my shopping list on it). Well, it seems that Target was indeed the last I saw of it. I don't know if I left it in my cart or somewhere or someone stole it from my purse or what, but either way I believe it is gone... adios.... fin.

I had it for a two months and loved everything about it. I won't go on and bore you with how great it was, but I am now having to come to terms with the fact that I won't have it anymore and it is all my fault. And the worst part is there is nothing I can do to change the outcome, whats done is done.... And on a side note, I can't stand it when people steal. Even if I left it, I can't believe someone would find it and think "find keepers, losers weepers". But that is what I am off to go do...cry myself to sleep.

Christmas Stockings

Before we get too far away from Christmas (which I guess you could argue, we already have), I wanted to share our stockings this year. I still want to make stockings, but for now, these store bought ones will have to do.

The Weekend Update

This weekend was full. Full of relaxing, full of productivity and full of togetherness. After a month of always being on the go, it was just plain nice. Here is what I did.

1) Watched Stardust. Okay, this was a great fairytale movie! It came out this summer. A fun, creative film and a nice break from your typical Hollywood fare. This movie is about fallen stars, a magical world and true love. Really soo cute and well done.

2) Worked for 3 1/2 hours at the Vineyard. Yes, a real, working grape vineyard. Each year our church is responsible for their portion of the vineyard. During January we have to prune and tie the branches to get them ready for the grapes to grow. It was my first time and I learned alot about pruning a grapevine. It was actually a good experience and I enjoyed my time there.

3) I gave the home a good cleaning after being gone for a few weeks. All that dust. I just HATE dust. I hate that it comes back every few days and there is nothing you can do about it. But for the next 4-5 days this house is dust-free!

4) Worked on some projects (more information on that coming up soon).

5) I was all prepared to give my Young Women's lesson, but found out that I don't have to teach this week and so I will have to save it for next week. I have had a nice long break from teaching, I hope I know how to it again. I might have forgotten how to do it after all this time.

Weekly Dinner Menu #7

Back to cooking. Here is what I did this week.

Sunday - French Toast Casserole with Canadian Bacon and Fruit ****

Monday - Chicken Noodle Soup from Costco (one of my favorite soups ever) and rustic french bread

Tuesday - Thai Beef Lettuce Wraps with Jasmine Rice ****

Thursday - Pumpkin Chicken Lasagna (I changed a lot on this recipe). So, I can't say I really made the one I am linking to. ***

Saturday - Chicken Parmesan with angel hair pasta and broccoli. ****

I got thin sliced chicken, dredged it in flour, then one egg mixed with 1/4 milk and then bread crumbs. Placed in baking dish and topped with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella and cooked at 350 degrees for 40 mins. Served with pasta and broccoli.

12 Year Old Photo Shoot

My friend has 4 boys and decided that she wants to get each of her sons pictures taken when they turn 12 years old. Her first son just turned 12 and I got the chance to take some photos of him. Let me just say this 12 year old was great to work with, always ready to smile and made things so easy for me. I will take tween-age boys any day, if they are like him! Thanks Mr. L, hope you like them!

"As seen" is "As good" as they say

Okay, so these "As seen on TV" products. I always see them but I don't give them a seconds notice, because I just figure they are gimmick products and probably don't really work. Well, I am wrong on one product. The Swivel Sweeper is capital "A" W.E.S.O.M.E. My in-laws have one and this Christmas vacation I actually saw it in action and then it clicked "that would be great for me, now that I have a crawler in the house again."

So, my mother-in-law gave me one for Christmas and now that we are home, I have to say it was one of the best gifts (practicality speaking) I received. Truly this thing is worth every penny (and it doesn't even cost that much). It picks up everything and is as slick as can be. Seriously, I can't say enough about this thing... you can just hear the informercial now. This might be the new gift I give newlyweds (or maybe newly parents).

Psst... you can also get it at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Oh, how we miss

Not that we need to be thinking about chocolate so soon after the holidays. I of course have my weight lose resolution going full force, but being winter and all, I can't help but remember this little dessert cafe in Boston that Chris and I used to frequent called Finale. It was this great chic little restaurant mostly known for its wine and coffee but for us it was their desserts. We would go often to work our way through their dessert menu. Our favorite was their molten lava cake and their creme brulee.

This winter, we are missing our little decadent getaway. Just look at these pictures. And believe me they are just as good as they look... actually even better. But there is one glimmer of hope when it comes to molten lava cakes ... we have a Flemings in town and their lava cake is to DIE for. I think it could possible be the best I have had. So, once I have lost my desired "l.b."s., I will celebrate my victory with a yummy lava cake... just because I can.

Flatten Me

I found this great gift idea called Flatten Me. I know Christmas is over, but maybe for next year or for a birthday or just because. It takes a photo of your child and incorporates the photo into some fabulously illustrated storybooks.

So, when your child reads the story, they are reading about themselves as pirates or as a fairy in the Mushroom King. I love the idea and think this is one gift worth buying for my little girls.

something to get excited about

On my entry two days ago, I said I couldn't wait for the movie Enchanted to come out on DVD, but I think I am more excited about television again. Tonight is the premiere of Dance War on ABC. I am hoping this will be a lot like "So you think you can dance". I am ready to see some great dancing and choreography.

And on another happy note. LOST starts up on January 31st. It is about time! Here's hoping it is as good as before.

Christmas Morning

When we are with Chris' family, we wake up before dawn... 6:30 am... before the sun is up. We went in to wake up Hannah and told her "Santa came and left you presents" I wasn't sure if we would get her up, but she opened her eyes and slowly a smile appeared and then she was ready. We walked into the living room to find a Lite Brite with her name on it and all lit up. Every time she saw Santa, she would tell him she wanted "cookies" for Christmas, so Santa delivered her a dozen Christmas cookies.

Of course, Ella didn't really know what was going on. But she did enjoy her Chicken Little stuffed animal and her piggy bank. Hannah bought her a Leap Frog caterpillar which she really likes a lot.

Right This Second

I just can't get enough: caffeine free diet coke. I gave it up for 18 months and now my addiction is back with a vengeance.


I really love: my life. It is pretty great at the moment. Knock on wood.


I wish that: I could see my family before July!


I absolutely can not wait: for Enchanted to come out on DVD.


it's not too late: to make a wrong .. right. When something I have said or done eats away at me, I just go and make it right. I email, call or tell the person and apologize. Sometimes it is months after the fact.


a photo a day: would be great if I didn't have a million other things to do.


finally, I want to show you: my next project... how cute is this.


I got the idea for these thoughts from this blog. I love the simplicity and how it captures my thoughts right here and now.

Here they come!

Well, I am starting to sort through my Christmas photos and of course there are a lot of them. So, let's start with Christmas Eve. We started with a re-enactment of the nativity story. All the cousins had a part. Hannah was the angel and did a great job repeating Papa as he told her what to say. Then all the cousins got new pajamas. They opened each gift one by one. When Hannah went to bed, she was so excited about Santa coming. Oh, what fun it is to have a child that is starting to experience the magic of Christmas.

Cute Anyway!

I entered Tara Whitney's photo contest about feet. You were supposed to enter a photo with the focus on feet. I went another way (instead of photographing people's feet) I decided to photograph Hannah's pink poodle's feet. I didn't make the cut, but I thought I would post the pictures anyway, because I thought it was cute.

The cutest Things

I came across this adorable website Rosanna. It has some of the cutest dinnerware and serving ware I have seen in a long time. I fell in love with the polk-a-dot partyware (which comes in black polk-a-dots too and on sale). And the pastel soda fountain stoneware. Again, need more cabinet space to store this stuff, but LOVE IT!

I just realized I spelled "To" wrong... opps!

Right to Party!

Hannah wouldn't look at me... too busy with everything else.

Her masterpiece.

When all was said and done!

Last week was Hannah's preschool Christmas Party. They call it "Happy Birthday Jesus" party. So, Hannah kept calling it Jesus' birthday party. When we were walking to the car after the party, she was singing the "happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you Happy Birthday dear Jesus. happy birthday to you".

The big activity was decorating their gingerbread houses. The kids did pretty well considering how messy of a project it is. Hannah wanted to eat the candy more than decorate with it. But she did like the idea of putting the gingerbread "climbing" up the tree.

Also on a continuing note, several parents came up to her and told her what a great singer she was at the Christmas program. And she was so polite. She is learning to say "thank you" when people give compliments or say something nice to her and she was so good, she would say "thank you" each and every time.

PS - Hope everyone has a great new years! Here's to 2008!